The 1934-D Buffalo Nickel
The Great Depression hit the Midwest the hardest, having begun there a year or two earlier than in the rest of the nation. As this region was served by the Denver Mint, the coining of nickels was suspended there from 1930 through mid-1934. 1934-D Buffalo Nickels, regardless of their condition, are popular with collectors, but collectors are looking for coins that have been well-preserved through the years. Unfortunately, because of how popular these coins were during their tenure, not many have survived in great shape.
Origins of the Nickel
What is known today as the nickel is formally called the Five-Cent piece, but the name nickel didn’t originate until the Buffalo nickel. Five-Cent pieces were originally struck from silver, and were called the half-disme, pronounced ‘half-dime. Congress would eventually change the laws so that U.S. coins would not need to be struck from solid gold, silver, or copper, which allowed mixed metal alloys to be mass produced as coins. Since the Buffalo nickel is made up partly of nickel, the nickname stuck, and we still call Five-Cent coins the nickel today.
1934-D Buffalo Nickel Values
The 1934-D nickel is a very important piece of minting history, as it was the only other Buffalo nickel produced that year outside of Philadelphia. An average 1934-D Buffalo nickel is valued at around one dollar and fifty cents. Like many older coins, the value is tied to the condition of the coin. Understandably, coins that have been preserved over the years, or are in mint condition, will sell for a higher price than coins that show a lot of wear. These coins are highly sought after, and a mint condition 1934-D Buffalo nickel is worth eighty dollars.
Type of coin: Nickel
Year: 1934
Mint Mark: Denver
Total mintage: 7,180,000
Metal content: 75% Copper, 25% Nickel
Face value: Five Cents
Weight: 5 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: James Earle Fraser
Diameter: 21.2 millimeters